FIA commissions Aus GP relocation study

Organisers are considering moving the Australian Grand Prix from Albert
Park to Avalon, a suburb about 40 minutes from Melbourne.
A report in the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper said the Confederation of
Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has been...

Organisers are considering moving the Australian Grand Prix from Albert
Park to Avalon, a suburb about 40 minutes from Melbourne.

A report in the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper said the Confederation of
Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has been granted $130,000 in funding by the
FIA to look into building a $200m permanent circuit.

The Albert Park race contract runs through 2015, but it is believed the
Avalon plans are designed to accommodate floodlight night racing and
therefore boost Melbourne's chance of retaining the Grand Prix in the long
term.

The proposed site is owned by Australian transport company Linfox, whose
director Andrew Fox said a year ago that moving the race from Albert Park
means taxpayers would no longer foot the costs of preparing the temporary
circuit each year.

"I'm happy to put the capital up on behalf of the (Fox) family at Avalon
and build a world class standard," said Fox.

The CAMS/FIA study is being conducted by UK experts.

"We, as part of the feasibility study, will be looking at a whole range of
options and opportunities for a potential venue at Avalon," CAMS chief
executive Graham Fountain confirmed.

Victorian sports minister James Merlino added: "A decision to relocate the
race is ultimately up to government, regardless of CAMS's findings."